Nigerians tackle Fashola over Jonathan-era tweet

Nigerians on social media on Wednesday mocked the Minister of Power, Works, Housing, Tunde Fashola over a tweet he published more than one year ago dissing former President Goodluck Jonathan for a meagre reduction in pump price of petrol.

The reaction followed Wednesday’s deregulation of Nigeria’s petroleum downstream which saw the price of petrol increased by the federal government to N145 per litre, nearly double the previous N86.50 rate.

Mr. Fashola, a former governor of Lagos State, is now a key member of the ruling All Progressives’ Congress government.

The deregulation and its effect on petrol prices stand starkly against the thoughts he shared in the January 2015 tweet which berated the former president for reducing the price of petrol by only 10 percent even though the price of crude oil dropped by over 50%.

“PMS price reduction by N10. Now they listen. Oil the raw material drop (sic) over 50%, N10 is just about 10%. Good try but Nigeria can get a beta deal,” Mr. Fashola tweeted.

Pms price reductn by N10. Now they listen. oil the raw material drop over 50%, N10 is just abt 10%. Good try but Nija can get a beta deal

Shortly after the announcement of the new pump price of petrol, even as crude oil price has remained low since Mr. Fashola posted the tweet in January 2015, Nigerians began to tackle the former governor.

Many commenters accused the APC government of double standards, and said the party had promised lower prices of fuel.

“What’s your point Sir, a barrel of oil cost $43 in the international market, a litre now cost 145 in Nigeria,” a Twitter user, Holy Pastor, replied to Fashola’s old tweet.

“Just waiting for ur apology to Nigerian people what a shame!” another user, Chichi Efochi said.

Senator Ebydon tweeted: “How far Fashola? Still on the same lane?”

Omooba Adedapo tweeted: “That moment during the campaign when Fashola said the drop in oil price shouldn’t result to a drop in pump price. How’s the change now?”

Mr. Fashola is yet to tweet his support or otherwise for his government’s new stand.